Epiphany (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from:) Ephiphany, January 8, 2012

Liturgical readings

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

"They found the child with Mary his mother."

In many Catholic homes, the traditional Nativity decor would be complete if it included small figurines of the three wise men, the shepherds, some stable animals, and an angel atop the baby Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph. All those little statues representing the Holy Family were mentioned in the gospels: the shepherds in Luke 2:8ff; the wise men in Matthew 2:1ff; and the angels in Luke 2:13ff. The stable animals were made part of the manger scene in the traditional Nativity set as additional symbols to help the family cultivate that atmosphere of simplicity and tranquillity experienced in many villages of old - especially during the Christmas season.

From a contemplative look at that cute and attractive Nativity set, it is time to focus more seriously at the "three wise men". These men were termed "astrologers" in the New American Bible. In the Good News Bible, they are mentioned as "some visitors from the East who studied the stars". The NRSV Bible and the Jerusalem Bible terms them as "wise men from the East". There is mention of "Magi" in the subtitle of the gospel passage in the Jerusalem Bible. Whoever these visitors from the East were, the gospel reveals to its readers and hearers that they have knowledge too of the prophecy about the birth of Jesus. They saw the star that would lead them to the birth of a Davidic King. So, believing or wanting to verify the prophecy, they followed the star, and found themselves in the poor little town of Bethlehem. In the poverty of a manger, they prostrated themselves before the Christ-Child.

It was a star that let the astrologers to Jesus. It was not only Jewish prophets that knew of this prophecy, but also people from nearby Eastern countries - like these wise men. There have been many founders of world religions that have been born and entered human history and civilization. But it was only Jesus whose birth was pre-announced. In his book, "Life of Christ", Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote that this very reason which makes Christ's divinity certain. And the divinity of Jesus Christ was manifested to the world through the wise men from the East. As the wise men saw the child with his mother, they saw with their eyes of faith how that divinity is wrapped in the tender flesh of a baby, born of a humble virgin from Nazareth.